criticisms of clothing

Clothing has been criticized from various perspectives. Some critics criticize certain aspects of clothing, while others advocate complete abolition of clothing and encourage nudity.

Poor conditions of laborers in clothing industry

The clothing industry is concentrated outside of Western Europe and the United States, and wherever they are, garment workers often have to labor under poor conditions. Many NGOs, designers like Katharine Hamnett, American Apparel, Veja, Quiksilver and campaign groups like the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) seek to improve these conditions as much as possible by sponsoring awareness-raising events, which draw the attention of both the media and the general public to the workers' conditions.

Outsourcing production to low wage countries like China, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh became possible when the Multi Fibre Agreement (MFA) was abolished. The MFA was deemed a protectionist measure which placed quotas on the exports of textiles. Globalization is often quoted as the single most contributing factor to the poor working conditions of garment workers. Although many countries recognize treaties like the ILO, many have also made exceptions to certain parts of the treaties. India for example has not ratified sections 87 and 92 of the treaty.

Use of fur and animal rights

The use of animal fur in clothing is currently associated in the West with expensive, designer clothing. Once uncontroversial, it has recently been the focus of campaigns on the grounds that it is cruel and unnecessary. Animal rights groups seek to abolish the use of fur.

Arguments for complete abolition of clothing

Many critics advocate complete abolition of clothing.